HomeUrban NewsAhmedabadGujarat Bullet Train Corridor Nears Completion with Key Milestone

Gujarat Bullet Train Corridor Nears Completion with Key Milestone

Gujarat has achieved a crucial breakthrough in India’s first bullet train project with the completion of 17 out of 28 steel bridges, marking nearly 50% progress in the state. The latest feat—a 100-metre-long bridge near Bharuch—signals accelerating momentum in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor, driven by indigenous engineering and eco-conscious infrastructure planning.

The newly launched bridge, a marvel of steel fabrication, weighs approximately 1,432 metric tonnes and spans 100 metres in length, with a height of 14.6 metres and width of 14.3 metres. It was fabricated at a dedicated facility in Bhuj, Gujarat, and transported in sections to the site before being lifted and assembled 14.5 metres above ground using trestle support systems. The entire installation process reflects a high degree of precision and safety, utilising an 84-metre-long steel launching nose weighing 525 metric tonnes and two semi-automatic jacks, each capable of handling 250 tonnes. To enhance durability, the structure has been secured using over 60,000 Tor-Shear Type High Strength bolts and features elastomeric bearings along with a C5-grade anti-corrosion coating. This attention to technical detail is expected to provide a structural lifespan of over 100 years, aligned with global best practices.

Officials overseeing the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor described this milestone as a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in high-speed rail infrastructure, emphasising the project’s alignment with the Make in India initiative. The steel bridge near Bharuch is not just an engineering accomplishment—it also represents the state’s capability to deliver large-scale, advanced infrastructure using locally sourced materials and manpower. Spanning 508 kilometres between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the bullet train corridor aims to drastically reduce travel time between the two economic hubs to under three hours. The corridor includes a substantial stretch through Gujarat, where the progress has been notably fast, thanks to timely land acquisition, local manufacturing support, and efficient project execution mechanisms.

The 17 completed steel bridges across Gujarat form a critical part of the elevated track system essential for enabling the train’s high-speed operation. These bridges are strategically positioned to cross over highways, railway lines, and irrigation canals, ensuring minimal disruption to existing infrastructure and avoiding costly detours. As per the project authorities, these structures are designed to handle dynamic loads and vibrations associated with 320 km/h travel speeds, reinforcing safety and long-term sustainability. Alongside civil engineering progress, the corridor’s construction methods have adopted cutting-edge techniques such as Full Span Launching Method (FSLM) and Span-by-Span (SBS) construction. These allow for rapid deployment of precast segments while maintaining structural integrity and alignment. The Gujarat stretch has already seen more than 300 kilometres of viaducts either completed or nearing completion under these advanced methods.

In keeping with the project’s environmental and social obligations, more than 300,000 noise barrier panels have been installed along viaduct sections to minimise disturbance to nearby communities and wildlife. Additionally, project developers have made conscious efforts to incorporate low-emission construction practices and ensure equitable workforce participation. Officials indicated that wherever feasible, gender-neutral employment practices are being promoted within the contracting ecosystem to align with modern labour standards. The latest developments also reflect a maturing high-speed rail sector in India, where design, manufacture, and construction activities are increasingly indigenised. With state-approved fabrication centres like the one in Bhuj meeting Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) compliance, India is laying the foundation for future corridors beyond Mumbai–Ahmedabad. The expertise gained here is expected to benefit upcoming high-speed corridors being planned under the National Rail Plan.

Gujarat’s proactive stance in pushing forward this infrastructure is credited to a coordinated effort between the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), local contractors, and the state machinery. Experts suggest this corridor will not only boost intercity mobility but also drive regional economic development by connecting industrial zones, creating job opportunities, and opening up new transit-oriented real estate markets. Moreover, the rail corridor is envisaged to be a model of climate-resilient transport, reinforcing India’s commitment to net-zero carbon targets. By offering a reliable alternative to road and air travel for mid-range distances, the bullet train is expected to contribute to emission reductions in the transport sector—currently one of the highest contributors to India’s urban carbon footprint.

As the focus now shifts to operationalising the first segment of the corridor between Surat and Bilimora by 2026, stakeholders remain optimistic about delivering a world-class transport system that balances speed, sustainability, and equity. The Gujarat experience, particularly its steel bridge execution, offers a strong signal that India’s infrastructural ambitions are not only bold but increasingly achievable through innovation and strategic alignment. While the full commissioning of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train may extend beyond 2028, Gujarat’s momentum places it at the forefront of this transformative mobility initiative. For now, the steel bridge near Bharuch stands tall—not just as a structure of transit, but as a symbol of a nation building fast, green, and forward.

Also Read : Mumbai Begins Work on Unified Bus Network

Gujarat Bullet Train Corridor Nears Completion with Key Milestone
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